Raju Kulkarni was born on 25th September, in 1962, in Bombay (presently Mumbai) of Maharashtra. He was a right-hand batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He played three Test matches and ten ODI matches for India. For most part of his life he played for Mumbai Ranji team and represented West Zone as a cricket player.
Early Career of Raju Kulkarni
The major teams he has played for were Mumbai and India. During the initial phases of his career, he had little control over movement. Gradually, he refined his bowling style and catered more to swing-patterns than medium pace. His aim was to present himself as a first-change bowler. Raju Kulkarni, shot to the limelight, when he grabbed 8 wickets for 111 in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy in 1982-83.
Career of Raju Kulkarni
December 1983, he made his One-Day International debut against West Indies. The following year, he landed in Zimbabwe with the Indian junior squad.
Raju Kulkarni could not establish himself as a permanent member of the Indian team. Yet he managed to earn for himself a scope in the expedition to Australia in 1985-86. At Australia, he also availed of the opportunity to take part in three ODIs.
The story of Kulkarni`s Test debut is quite thrilling. It is said, that in the morning of the beginning of the Test, he was asked to be ready for the field. Thanks to Kulkarni`s composure and courage, that he could ready himself for the Test against Australia, in his own place, Mumbai, in October 1986.
In February 1987, Kulkarni participated in two additional Tests of India Vs Pakistan. Unfortunately, Kukarni`s Test career came to a close. Raju Kulkarni`s last of his 10 ODIs were against Pakistan, in March 1987. Raju Kulkarni`s name came up as a choice for the Indian Asia Cup squad in 1990 Asia Cup. But Kulkarni did not emerge as a player for the tournament. Raju Kulkarni bade first-class cricket a good-bye in 1992.
Cricket Statistics
Batting and Fielding Averages
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St | |
| Tests | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| ODIs | 10 | 5 | 3 | 33 | 15 | 16.50 | 39 | 84.61 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| First-class | 79 | 77 | 11 | 1396 | 97 | 21.15 | 0 | 8 | 25 | 0 | ||||
| List A | 42 | 23 | 9 | 140 | 26 | 10.00 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Bowling Averages
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
| Tests | 3 | 6 | 366 | 227 | 5 | 3/85 | 3/114 | 45.40 | 3.72 | 73.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 10 | 10 | 444 | 345 | 10 | 3/42 | 3/42 | 34.50 | 4.66 | 44.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 79 | 12320 | 7655 | 232 | 8/111 | 32.99 | 3.72 | 53.1 | 12 | 0 | |||
| List A | 42 | 1998 | 1412 | 56 | 5/30 | 5/30 | 25.21 | 4.24 | 35.6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
At present, he owns a sports-equipment business. Raju Kulkarni has always retained his love for sports, as his evident from his post-retirement work.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com
